Opinons and reports from the bridge table about card play, bidding, auctions and bidding theory.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

'Being Ulf' - part 1

The January 2006 issue of Bridge Today contained an article by friend (and former teammate) Anders Wirgren, entitled 'Being Ulf'. It contained 3 declarer play problems (imp scoring), all of which I was a part of. Here they are:

Deal 1

AQT62ATK76654

878AJT532AK87

You play 6D after a 1S - 2D start. West leads the K of hearts. You win and ruff the remaining heart in hand to lead a spade up. West follows with the K and you win the ace. How would you continue?

Deal 2

K2A654KJ872J5

AJ53JT9879KT4

Contract is 4H after the 1D - 1H; 2H - 2S; 4H. LHO leads the T of spades, showing 0/2 higher. With the intent to discard a club on the 3rd spade (queen is onside, we know that from the lead), you win the K at trick 1 and continues with another. On this trick RHO plays the Q and you win in hand. Plan?

Deal 3

87AJQJT42K653

AQT92Q654AKA9

On this deal, from the Swedish top division, you opened a strong 1C, got a gameforcing 2D response and differing views about supporting partner later with a weak doubleton got you to the optimistic contract of 6S. West leads the 8 of diamonds. You need to clear trumps and hooking the queen is a good start, so you enter dummy with heart so the J and lead a spade. On this trick East plays the K and you win. Now what?